Explorations in Bible lands during the 19th century - H. V. Hilprecht

622 EXPLORATIONS IN BIBLE LANDS
have also brought to light an epistolary tablet which in form
and contents belongs to this correspondence.
It can therefore
confidently be affirmed that we stand not at the end
but only at the beginning of discoveries on the soil of
Palestine.
With lively satisfaction the friends of the Holy Land
must therefore have heard of the recent inauguration of two
new and extensive movements in the interest of Palestinian
research. The American Institute of Archaeology and a
number of other scientific organizations of North America
(universities, colleges, theological seminaries)
the means for establishing a " School "
have provided
at Jerusalem, which
during the first year (1900-01) was under the direction of
Professor Torrey, of Yale University. A somewhat older
project, but likewise not yet fully carried out, is
United Evangelical Churches
that of the
of Germany to found an Institute
of Archaeology in Jerusalem. Abundant means have
been provided for this, and it is to begin its operations in
the autumn of 1901.
These institutions will supply a long-felt need. Their
primary purpose is to introduce young scholars into different
branches of investigation, and to encourage them to
undertake researches of their own. At the same time they
will serve as a local centre for all the operations. Well provided
with libraries and collections, they will in the future
place the necessary scientific apparatus at the disposal of
every scholar.
Finally, so far as their means will allow, they
will themselves engage in making researches, arrange for
excavations, study the countrv and its characteristics, the
people and their customs, etc. The favorable attitude which
the Sultan of Turkey and the Ottoman government have in
the last years generallv exhibited towards such endeavors,
affords good reason to believe that by these combined efforts
Oriental study will
be greatly promoted, and diligent search
be rewarded by corresponding discoveries.